Launch New Show Celebrating Sporting Icons Live 7 pm
IslandStats.com
A new bi-weekly sports programme dedicated to resurrecting the triumphs, milestones, and untold stories of Bermuda’s finest sporting legends is set to launch, spearheaded by veteran broadcaster Earl Basden and island football stalwart Dennis Brown at 7:00 pm.
Titled A Walk Down Memory Lane, the show aims to bridge generations by taking sports enthusiasts on an intimate journey through the island’s rich athletic heritage, celebrating the men and women who paved the way on domestic fields and international stages.
The premier episode will feature none other than Bermudian tennis icon Sam Maybury, setting an ambitious standard for the series.
Hosted by seasoned sports journalist and IslandStats broadcaster Earl Basden alongside respected former national player and coach Dennis Brown, the programme is designed as a living archive of Bermudian sporting achievement.
Each edition will dig deep into the archives, blending candid first-person reflections with historical context to ensure the exploits of the island’s trailblazers remain etched in the collective consciousness.
"Too many remarkable achievements fade from memory over time," the hosts noted. "A Walk Down Memory Lane is about honouring those sacrifices, reliving the glory days, and inspiring the next generation of Bermudian athletes by showing them whose shoulders they stand on."
Few figures embody Bermudian athletic pedigree quite like the show's debut guest.
Sam Maybury, an iconic presence across decades of Bermudian and regional tennis, broke ground during an era when local talent fought tooth and nail for international recognition. As both an accomplished competitor and a devoted mentor, Maybury's name is synonymous with the development of the racquet sport on the island.
In the inaugural broadcast, Maybury sits down with Basden and Brown to reflect on the golden eras of local competition, memorable international clashes, the evolution of the sport in Bermuda, and the mindset required to compete at the highest level during his prime.
With a bi-weekly schedule lined up, A Walk Down Memory Lane promises to be essential viewing and listening for local sports fans eager to celebrate Bermuda’s sporting greats.
Friday, October 09, 2026
Roberts Sets New Recurve Record after Caribbean Triumph
IslandStats.com
Bermudian archer Jaydon Roberts has capped off his Caribbean Premier Archery League title victory with official confirmation that his winning score of 1,325 is a new recurve record.
The confirmation follows an exceptional campaign across the regional series, where Roberts led from the front to capture the overall championship and stamp his authority among the Caribbean's top bowmen.
His record-breaking haul of 1,325 points cements a landmark achievement for the National Archery Association of Bermuda, surpassing the previous regional benchmark in the recurve division.
The victory also sealed an emphatic one-two finish for Bermuda, with fellow international Camerin Pickering taking the runner-up spot behind Roberts.
The new record continues a remarkable run of form for Roberts, who represented Bermuda at the World Archery youth level and Olympic qualifiers, and underlines the island's burgeoning status as a regional powerhouse in the sport.
Monday, October 05, 2026
Quickfire Gale double seals comeback win in Bridgetown
IslandStats.com
Bermuda 1 Barbados 2
A rapid second-half two goals from Thierry Gale saw Barbados come from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bermuda at the BFA Technical Centre in Bridgetown.
Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - Jahquil Hill, Deniche Hill, Harry Twite, Jorj Dublin, Lejuan Simmons ( Justin Donawa 58th), Ne-Jai Tucker (Zeiko Lewis 46th), Djair Parfitt , Sincere Hall (Blayz Borgesson 54th), Luke Robinson (Caleb McDowall, 87th), Riley Robinson, Enrique Russell (Elisha Darrell 87th) - Substitutes: - Milai Perott, Emeer Peets, Brighton Morrison, Coleridge Fubler, Deigo Richardson, Ajani Burchall, London Steede-Jackson, - Barbados Starting Line-Up: - J. Blackman, T. Bailey-Edwards, Mario Williams, R. Clarke, Andre Applewhaite, J. Gollop, J. Neblett (Z. Applewhite 92nd), J. Oughterson, T. Gale, O. Leacock (J. Gilkes 92nd), N. Reid-Stephen - Substitutes: - J. Malcolm, K. Lashley, S. Hoyte, T. James, D. King, A. Banton, S. Prescod, R. Bourne,D. Thorne, C. Griffith,
Meeting for the second time in four days, the regional rivals produced an attritional opening hour before the contest ignited during a frantic eight-minute spell late in the second half.
Bermuda looked to have seized control in the 74th minute when forward Djair Parfitt showed sharp instincts in the penalty area, neatly steering home an inch-perfect delivery from Enrique Russell to break the deadlock.
However, Bermuda’s lead lasted just four minutes.
Barbados talisman Gale drew the hosts level in the 78th minute with a clinical finish to re-energize the home crowd. With Bermuda reeling from the setback, Gale struck again just four minutes later in the 82nd minute, completing a swift and ruthless turnaround to seal victory for the Bajan Tridents.
A low-key opening 45 minutes saw chances at a premium, with neither side able to carve out clear openings in the Caribbean humidity.
Barbados edged the territorial battle during the first period, controlling 56% of possession and producing five attempts on Jahquil Hill’s goal, while Bermuda’s counter-attacking setup yielded two shots and 213 passes.
Both managers turned to their benches to spark life into the contest after the interval. Bermuda introduced Zeiko Lewis at the break for Ne-Jai Tucker, followed closely by Blayz Borgesson and Justin Donawa before the hour mark.
The changes initially appeared to swing momentum in Bermuda's favor when Russell broke free down the flank to pick out Parfitt for the opener. Yet Barbados responded with sustained pressure, peppering the Bermudian goal with 15 second-half attempts and capitalizing on tired legs as Gale delivered his decisive double blow.
Nusum said, “Was a tough tour marred by defensive frailties. Too often we leaked goals from positions of strength. We have to be better moving forward.
I thought our play in possession was good though and we were able to create chances in all of the games. The young players like Deniche Hill, Nejai Tucker, Blayz Borgesson, Riley Robinson, were great for us and show where we can go with more experience.
This is a transition group and I think the lessons in the matches will only benefit the group going forward. But it’s always great to learn lessons while winning games so disappointing not to get any points on the board.”
Barbados dealt Bermuda a punishing blow in their Concacaf Nations League campaign, coming from behind to secure a resounding 4-1 victory in a pivotal clash at the BFA Technical Centre.
Barbados Starting Line-Up: - J. Blackman, A. Banton, M. Williams, T. Bailey-Edwards, Andre Applewhaite, J. Gollop (D. Thorne 79th), J. Neblett (D. King 79th), T. Gale, N. Reid-Stephen (R. Bourne 87th), O. Leacock (S. Hoyte 68th), C. Griffith (Z. Applewhite 87th) - Substitutes: - J. Malcolm, K. Lashley, R. Clarke, J. Oughterson, T. James, L. Catlyn, S. Prescod - Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - Jahquil Hill, Deniche Hill, Harry Twite, Justin Donawa (Blayz Borgesson, 64th), Lejuan Simmons, Ne-Jai Tucker, London Steede-Jackson, Djair Parfitt (Ajani Burchall 64th & Zeiko Lewis 78th), Sincere Hall, Luke Robinson (Riley Robinson 46th), Nahki Wells (Enrique Russell 78th) - Substitutes: - Milai Perott, Emeer Peets, Brighton Morrison, Elisha Darrell, Coleridge Fubler, Deigo Richardson, Caleb McDowall
The visitors could hardly have asked for a better start, opening the scoring after just seven minutes with a sweeping move. Sincere Hall sparked the attack with a driving run forward before slipping a pass to Deniche Hill, whose pinpoint square ball across the face of goal was turned in from close range by Djair Parfitt.
However, any early momentum quickly dissipated as the home side took firm control of proceedings in Barbados.
Barbados drew level in the 26th minute through Thierry Gale, who clinically beat Jahquil Hill to restore parity. The turnaround was complete just three minutes later, when Andre Applewhaite found the net to shock the home side and put the Bajan Tridents ahead.
A rampant Barbados side added further misery before the interval. Gale struck his second of the afternoon in the 41st minute, handing the visitors a commanding 3-1 advantage heading into the tunnel after a first half in which they dominated 56% of possession and registered 11 attempts on goal to Bermuda's two.
Bermuda head coach sought a response after the restart, introducing Riley Robinson at half-time before later calling upon Blayz Borgesson, Ajani Burchall, Zeiko Lewis, and Enrique Russell in search of a route back into the contest.
While the hosts showed greater attacking intent in the second period — finishing with 12 attempts to the visitors' 15 — Barbados effectively sealed the points four minutes from time when Niall Reid-Stephen struck a fourth in the 86th minute.
The defeat leaves Bermuda with plenty to ponder, having controlled 47% of possession and completing 377 passes to Barbados' 427, but ultimately undone by the home teams ruthless efficiency in the final third.
Thursday, October 01, 2026
BOA Announces Saunders as New Secretary General
IslandStats.com
Olympian and Commonwealth Games record holder Clarance “Nick” Saunders has joined the Bermuda Olympic Association as Secretary General, replacing the retiring Branwen Smith-King.
Saunders, who represented Bermuda in high jump at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics and holds the Commonwealth Games high jump record of 2.36 meters from his 1990 Gold Medal performance in Auckland, returned to reside in Bermuda in 2025.
With a wealth of sporting experience, coupled with a career in insurance plus an education in law, Nick brings to the BOA the broad skill set required for the Secretary General position, as exemplified by his predecessor, Branwen Smith-King.
Saunders commented on his appointment “I’m honored to serve as Secretary General of the Bermuda Olympic Association and give back to the sporting community that shaped my life. I look forward to helping Bermuda’s athletes access the support and opportunities they need to succeed.”
BOA President Peter Dunne noted “We are fortunate to have had several highly qualified applicants for the position, and Nick was a standout in a field of excellence. He is enthusiastic in his approach to working with our member federations to help them deliver the best possible programs for their athletes. His own experiences as an elite athlete can help the BOA continue to act with the interests of athletes first in the framework of the Olympic movement.
The retirement of Smith-King comes after six years of growth for the BOA under her leadership as Secretary General. Dunne commented “We knew that filling Branwen’s shoes was always going to be a difficult task as she has brought a high level of sport administration process to our organization as well as her enthusiasm for sport and athletes. Her impact on the BOA and the sporting landscape of Bermuda has been tremendous and always professionally delivered. I’m sure that all our member federations appreciate Branwen’s contributions and the passion she brought to her role at the BOA”.
